Deep down, Noah felt that his normal life was slipping away, now a distant memory. He stared at his friend with burning intensity as Kali continued stitching his arm, his head bent low.
"Kali, please just answer me. Forget about my damn arm—I need to know what's happening!"
Kali paused, lifting his head as if gathering the strength to deliver the news.
"It's a virus. This morning, we received numerous reports of people losing control of their legs and then passing out. It's global—no one knows what's causing it."
Noah's eyes widened in disbelief. "How is this possible? A virus that spreads so quickly? Just yesterday, Lucy was fine!" Anger surged within him, but he had nowhere to direct it. His heart raced, and just as panic threatened to overtake him, Kali continued.
"We're still not sure. We ran some tests earlier and are waiting for results. For now, your wife is stable. It's only dangerous if someone is driving or engaged in activity when they lose control—think of it as if she's just asleep. I'll take care of her, so go check on your daughter and get some rest. You have a nasty wound there. I'll come back after I check on her."
He gave him a deep look, patting him on the shoulder as if to convey his unwavering support—whatever happened, their bond wouldn't break. Then, he then left to check on Lucy in the ER.
With his left arm in a makeshift cast, Noah took a moment to gather his thoughts before stepping out of the room in search of his daughter. As he walked through the clinic, he noticed a crowd gathering in front of the reception area, drawn to the television. Curious about what could captivate people in such a chaotic time, he approached the group.
Raising his gaze to the screen, he saw the president—a worried man with a pale, sweating face—delivering a speech. Noah listened intently as the president addressed the nation.
"Dear citizens, today we are facing an unprecedented challenge. A new virus pandemic has struck, catching us off guard without any warning or time to prepare. Our beloved country is currently in a state of emergency. Please remain in your homes; we are doing our best to understand what's happening and to prevent the spread. I have faith that we will overcome this trial, just as we have with many challenges before."
Yes, humanity had faced many calamities—plagues, viruses, natural disasters—and had always found a way to survive and evolve beyond hard times. Humans were the most adaptable creatures on the planet, but also the most destructive.
Yet Noah couldn't shake the ominous feeling that something was off. This time felt different. He continued listening to the president's speech.
"The symptoms so far are paralysis and loss of consciousness. Our country's best researchers are working diligently to identify the source of this virus. It's difficult to implement safety measures since the virus took us by surprise, appearing from nowhere without any warning signs. Stay strong, dear citizens, and follow emergency protocols. May God bless our beloved country."
As the speech concluded, the broadcast shifted to report on the aftermath of the virus. Images of accidents and disasters flashed across the screen—planes crashing, trains derailing, and increasing casualties. It seemed the very structure of human society was beginning to crumble.
Instead of providing reassurance, the president's speech raised more questions, leaving people anxious and uncertain about whether they would be the next victims.
Noah understood this was a sign of impending panic. Things would only worsen from here. With primal fear taking hold, he knew that morals would quickly erode, and society would collapse under the weight of survival instincts.
Noah shifted his focus to finding his daughter. After checking several rooms, he finally spotted her sitting on a bed, chatting with a nurse. Thank God she's smiling, he thought to himself.
When Judy noticed her father at the door, she beamed and asked, "Are you okay, Daddy? Still hurt?" He returned her smile, reassuring her that he was fine.
Taking her hand, they walked toward the ER. As they approached, Noah caught sight of Lucy behind the glass, with Kali beside her, checking her vitals. She looked so peaceful, like a sleeping beauty—if it weren't for the oxygen mask and life support machines, one might think she was simply enjoying sweet dreams.
Noah studied her closely, his heart heavy with fear and dark emotions. Turning to Judy, he said, "She will be fine. Your uncle is taking care of her. She'll wake up any moment now." Those words felt more like a reassurance for himself than for her.
Kali stepped out of the room and smiled at Judy. "Hey, hero! You look good. Did you enjoy the sweets?"
Judy nodded, smiling back. Then Kali's expression shifted to seriousness. "Noah, can I talk to you in private?"
A flash of fear crossed Noah's face; he knew this conversation would be about his wife's condition. He paused for a moment before saying to Judy, "Sweetie, go wait by your mother's room. I need to talk to your uncle."
He let Kali lead the way into a small, cluttered office, papers strewn across the floor. Noah's anticipation filled the space between them.
"Kali, have you figured out what's going on?"
At Noah's question, Kali felt an immense weight settle on him. He took a moment to gather his thoughts, bracing himself for Noah's reaction.
"We received the test results, and they're concerning. The virus is attacking the blood vessels and destroying the blood cells more rapidly than we can respond."
Noah's face drained of color, looking like a dead man walking. He felt lightheaded from the blood he'd lost and the shocks he'd endured.
Kali pressed on. "This virus is now being referred to as Black Horn, named for the black patches appearing on patients' skin."
He paused, allowing Noah a moment to process the news before adding, "Noah, you need to prepare yourself for the worst. Lucy might not make it."